Your Health and a Changing Climate: Newsletter - Volume 1

Impacts and Adaptation Research : Completed Research

Climate Change and Public Health in Nunavik and Labrador

Led by Dr. Pierre Gosselin, Laval University, and funded by the CCAF, this project aimed to develop a better understanding of climate change processes and potential health impacts on the residents of these two regions, through a review of pertinent health sciences, environmental, medical and traditional knowledge literature, expert consultation, and by conducting focus groups with experienced hunters, Elders and women in Nunavik and Labrador. In both regions, noticeable changes were reported to have taken place over the last 20 to 30 years. Participants identified impacts they feel these changes have had on their ability and safety to travel at certain times of the year and on their ability to find and hunt certain country food species in the region or gain access to clean, natural sources of drinking water while out on the land practising traditional pursuits. Adaptive strategies already utilized to mediate the impacts of these changes (such as changed hunting patterns, heavier reliance on community freezers at certain times of the year, need to increase land based knowledge among youth) were identified when possible, however the focus of discussions was on observed changes and related impacts.

>>> For more information, contact: pierre-l.gosselin@crchul.ulaval.ca

Climate Change and Human Behaviour

Led by Dr. M. Ouimet, Université de Montréal, and funded by the CCAF, researchers examined, using statistical analysis, the relationship between daily meteorological conditions (temperature, humidity, rain, snow and wind) and the number of crimes, automobile accidents and suicides in the Montreal area. They found that automobile accidents tended to increase on days with precipitation, while violent crimes were more common on warm and humid days. Suicide rates did not appear to be influenced by weather. The researchers also compared crime statistics for January 1997 and January 1998, to examine how the 1998 Ice Storm affected crime rates in three Quebec communities. They found that crime rates were generally lower during the Ice Storm.

>>> For more information, contact: ouimetm@crim.umontreal.ca

Feasibility of Identifying Heat-Related Illness and Deaths As a Basis for Effective Climate Change Risk Management and Adaptation

Led by Dr. Yang Mao at Health Canada, this study, funded by the CCAF, examined whether health care records for hospital visits were suitable for assessing heat-related health effects. Researchers looked at relationships between heat-related illnesses and heat stress periods (air temperatures greater than or equal to 30ºC) between 1992 and 1999. In comparing Ottawa, Ontario and London, Ontario they found that Ottawa had almost twice as many heat stress periods (22 vs. 12), and Ottawa hospitals treated more than double the amount of patients for heat-related health problems (117 vs. 53). The researchers concluded that medical records may be useful for monitoring health effects of heat, and identifying vulnerable population groups in different cities and regions.

>>> For more information, contact: yang_mao@hc-sc.gc.ca.

See details on the followup study.